First developed in the 1930s by Samuel Stephens Kistler, aerogels have since been refined to suit a variety of modern applications. Their unique combination of lightness, strength, and insulating properties has made them a staple material in cutting-edge technologies and research. Aerogel, often referred to as "frozen smoke" or "solid air," is a synthetic porous ultralight material derived from a gel, in which the liquid component is replaced with a gas. It is renowned for being one of the lightest solid materials in existence, with a density close to that of air. It's composed of a microporous silica, carbon, or metal oxide network that occupies only a small fraction of their volume, with the remainder being air. This unique structure gives aerogels their characteristic low density, translucency, and exceptional thermal insulation. They are also highly resistant to compression and have extremely low thermal conductivity, making them effective barriers to heat and cold. Despite its fragile appearance, aerogel is known for its remarkable insulating properties and structural strength.

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